Car statistics by year
1997 Rover Mini
Rover Mini cars first registered in 1997: how they did at their 2025 MOT, what failed them, how far they have been driven and how many are still on the road. Compared with every car first registered in 1997, so like is set against like.
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 72.0% All 1997 cars 68.5%
- Typical mileage at the MOT 52,500 miles; all 1997 cars 94,900
- Left at the end of 2025 1,473 101.1% of the 1,457 at the end of 2014
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 4.2% All 1997 cars 6.0%
- Tests with an advisory 38.8% All 1997 cars 58.2%
- MOT tests in 2025 647 normal tests in Great Britain
How do 1997 Rover Minis do at their MOT?
In 2025, at about 28 years old, 72.0% of 1997 Rover Mini MOT tests were passed first time, against 68.5% for all cars first registered in 1997. 1997 Rover Minis did better than average for their age, by 3.5 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 70.5% of the time (all 1997 cars 67.2%).
MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Rover Mini vs all cars
Each pair of bars is one year of first registration, tested in 2025. Older cars pass less often, so compare each Rover Mini bar with the all-cars bar beside it.
| First registered | Rover Mini | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| ’90 | 72.6% | 75.5% |
| ’91 | 69.7% | 75.5% |
| ’92 | 68.1% | 72.6% |
| ’93 | 72.1% | 71.6% |
| ’94 | 71.8% | 73.1% |
| ’95 | 71.7% | 71.5% |
| ’96 | 68.3% | 70.0% |
| ’97 | 72.0% | 68.5% |
| ’98 | 72.3% | 67.1% |
| ’99 | 74.3% | 65.4% |
| ’00 | 72.3% | 63.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures on the 1997 Rover Mini
Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits was the most common single reason a 1997 Rover Mini failed, on 21.0% of about 200 failed tests. By area of the car, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment failed most often (48.1% of failed tests; all 1997 cars 41.8%). 4.2% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 6.0% for all cars first registered in 1997. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 21.0% |
| Headlamp aim: too high Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.9% |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering | 13.8% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.3% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.7% |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle Brakes | 12.7% |
| Sub-frame mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 8.8% |
| Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.7% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 7.7% |
| Individual direction indicators: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Failure categories: Rover Mini vs all 1997 cars
The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.
| Category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 48.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 39.8% |
| Suspension | 27.6% |
| Brakes | 26.5% |
| Visibility | 21.5% |
| Steering | 18.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 16.6% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT advisories on the 1997 Rover Mini
An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 38.8% of 1997 Rover Mini tests had at least one (all 1997 cars 58.2%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.
Most common advisories
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.5% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 7.0% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 5.4% |
| Wheel bearings: slight play Suspension | 5.4% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 4.8% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 4.5% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 4.2% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 2.8% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 2.5% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Non-component advisories | 2.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
What mileage is normal for a 1997 Rover Mini?
Half of the 1997 Rover Minis tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 52,500 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 31,200 and a quarter more than 71,500. For all cars first registered in 1997, the middle figure was 94,900 miles, so 1997 Rover Minis have been driven 44.7% less far than average.
Mileage at the 2025 MOT
Odometer readings at each car’s latest MOT of the year. The bar covers the middle half of cars; the line the middle 80%.
| 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Cars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Rover Mini | 11,600 | 31,200 | 52,500 | 71,500 | 83,800 | 600 |
| All 1997 cars | 43,000 | 65,700 | 94,900 | 129,600 | 166,500 | 27,354 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
How many 1997 Rover Minis are left?
At the end of 2014, 1,457 1997 Rover Minis were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 1,473 were: 393 licensed and 1,080 declared off the road (SORN). That is 101.1% still on the record, against 33.7% for all cars first registered in 1997.
Share still on the record since 2014
Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2014. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.
| Year end | 1997 Rover Mini | All 1997 cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| 2015 | 100.1% | 83.2% |
| 2016 | 99.4% | 70.3% |
| 2017 | 102.3% | 60.0% |
| 2018 | 102.7% | 52.5% |
| 2019 | 101.6% | 47.4% |
| 2020 | 102.5% | 44.1% |
| 2021 | 102.6% | 41.0% |
| 2022 | 102.5% | 39.0% |
| 2023 | 100.9% | 37.2% |
| 2024 | 99.0% | 34.9% |
| 2025 | 101.1% | 33.7% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated
Recalls that may affect cars built around 1997
1 of the Rover Mini’s 1 recall in DVSA’s records covers cars built during 1997.
The 1997 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 1997 may have been built in 1996, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.
| Launched | Concern | Built | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Oct 2001 | Rear wheel bearing may fail | 1 Aug 1996 to 4 Jan 1999 | 5,809 |
Rover Mini recalls · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls
Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
Other years of the Rover Mini
11 years of the Rover Mini, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2000 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (72.3% passed first time) and the 1991 cars worst (69.7%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | – | 3,712 | 72.6% |
| 1991 | – | 3,619 | 69.7% |
| 1992 | – | 3,027 | 68.1% |
| 1993 | – | 2,942 | 72.1% |
| 1994 | – | 2,665 | 71.8% |
| 1995 | – | 2,208 | 71.7% |
| 1996 | – | 1,849 | 68.3% |
| 1997 | – | 1,473 | 72.0% |
| 1998 | – | 1,742 | 72.3% |
| 1999 | – | 1,410 | 74.3% |
| 2000 | – | 2,199 | 72.3% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 647 MOT tests of 1997 Rover Mini cars | 15 September 2026 |
| Cars on the record | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of 2025 | 1,473 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
- MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Rover Mini cars first registered in 1997; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 1997.
- Year of first registration is DVSA’s first-use date: when the car was first registered, in the UK or abroad.
- Defects and advisories are DVSA’s descriptions made readable. Where on the car a defect was found (side, front or rear) is ignored, so the same fault on any wheel counts once per test.
- Mileage is the odometer reading at each car’s latest normal MOT of the year, as recorded by the tester. A few readings are in kilometres or mistyped; percentiles are not thrown by a handful of outliers.
- Cars on the record come from DfT table VEH0124 and cover the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; MOT figures cover Great Britain only.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.